Andrew Galbraith (centre) accepting the Best in Show Award from the Sydney Royal Easter Show team. Photo: Ambrosia Distillery.
Boutique Fyshwick-based distillery Ambrosia has come away from the Royal Sydney Easter Show with a huge win: Best in Show.
It’s the first time a Canberra-based business has won the accolade, which rewards the best exhibition, with points awarded for style, innovation, customer service, creativity and excellence in presentation.
Ambrosia Distillery co-owner, distiller, and self-described ‘friendly neighbourhood spirit-slinger’ Andrew Galbraith definitely wasn’t expecting the win, as he told Region.
“When they pulled me aside, I actually thought I was in trouble!”
“I was aiming to get Best Exhibitor in the pavilion, but to get Best In Show is just phenomenal. I’m ecstatic!”
The ‘Ambrosia Garden’ display was themed around Greek mythology, an aesthetic that underpins the entire Ambrosia range. Andrew said he felt like the award was validation for the many sleepless nights and months of hard work that went into the display. He joked that he raided Bunnings for “all the lights they had” to draw the crowd to the stall like moths to a flame, and it seems to have done the trick!
Andrew said the awards are validation of all the hard work his team has put in. Photo: Ambrosia Distilling.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, which runs the Royal Easter Show, will do their judging for distilled spirits later in the year, but Andrew is keen to go back-to-back on awards for their core range, as well as some new flavours.
The Ambrosia team showcased several new products at this year’s show, including Rose Gin (featuring gold flakes), Calamansi Vodka, and Mango Vodka, all of which were incredibly popular.
Andrew was blown away by the reception from the crowd.
“I brought far more stock than I brought last year. I knew it would be a bigger show because it was in the school holidays, and I actually thought I had brought enough to do two more events in Sydney, but we ran out halfway through the show! We had to do an emergency run from Canberra to bring more, and we still sold out by the last day!”
Andrew is now busily distilling extra stock for the Finder Keepers Market and Botanica gin events in Sydney.
The sleek interior of Ambrosia Lounge, Fyshwick. Photo: Taylah Cunningham.
Ambrosia opened a cocktail bar called Ambrosia Lounge at Dairy Road in Fyshwick last year, which is also keeping Andrew busy. He says that they’re regularly booked for private functions and also cater to after-work drinks groups and individuals on wine and spirits tours in the Capital.
As for next year’s show? Well, Andrew reckons it will have to be bigger and better than ever.
“I’ve got some big ideas for next year, but organisation is key. We’re considering adding some ready-to-drink products to the range, as well as maybe setting up the stall to look like Mount Olympus. The pressure’s on to retain that title!”
Find out more about Ambrosia Distillery’s award-winning spirits. Ambrosia Lounge is located at Suite 10b, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick. They are open from 5 pm until midnight Wednesday to Friday, from 3 pm to midnight on Saturday and from 3 to 10 pm on Sunday. Follow Ambrosia Distillery on Facebook or Instagram.
